Overview
The merger of social media, streaming platforms, wagering and competitive video gaming has provided a robust marketplace for investors, companies and traditional sports teams. However, as with any innovative disruptive force, legal and regulatory uncertainty and challenges continually arise. The Esports, Sports Technology & Wagering team at Stinson is uniquely positioned to provide clients with informed and reliable guidance in these specialized industries.
Esports, Sports Technology & Wagering
Our Stinson team is uniquely qualified to address the complex and dynamic needs of our Esports, Sports Technology & Wagering clients. We offer the experience necessary to provide full-service legal counsel to stakeholders throughout the esports ecosystem, including mobile gamers, leagues, franchise owners, broadcasters, advertisers, publishers, agencies and promoters, distributors, sponsors, investors, banks and other leading corporations and individuals.
In addition to our esports proficiencies, we are well equipped to assist sports technology businesses. Our team has provided guidance to companies throughout the sports technology spectrum, including those utilizing augmented reality, biometric data and blockchain.
The Stinson Esports, Sports Technology & Wagering team is passionate about our clients’ businesses and we are able to provide critical insight and guidance – both traditional and emerging.
Betting, Gaming Integrity & Fantasy Sports
As more states enact laws surrounding legalized sports betting and daily fantasy sports (DFS), the Stinson team offers guidance on compliance in all facets of gaming laws, including the Travel Act, the Federal Wire Act, the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act and the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.
Moreover, since the passage of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 (UIGEA), the rise of DFS has been quick but tumultuous. States across the country have interpreted certain DFS platforms against the backdrop of UIGEA and other state and federal gambling laws. Thus, it is critical to have legal advisors who are up-to-date on attorney general opinions and legislation throughout the U.S. that regulate or prohibit DFS to minimize risk exposure.
Capabilities
The Stinson Esports, Sports Technology & Wagering team can assist with the following legal needs:
Funding / Securities
- Family and friend's investors / seed capital
- Angel investors
- IPOs
- Commercial lending and traditional financing
- Venture capital, including introductions to venture capital investors, financial institutions, accelerator programs and alternative financing sources
Labor / Employment / Immigration
- Employment agreements
- Appearance contracts
- Immigration visas
Intellectual Property
- Online streaming rights and brand management
- Advertising, promotions and sponsorships
- Patent and trademark protections
- Licensing agreements
Strategic Ventures
- Joint ventures and strategic partnerships
- Mergers and acquisitions
Regulatory
- Data security, privacy and information governance
- League participation agreements
- Wagering and betting compliance opinions
- Investigations and enforcement
- Business and tax structuring
Team
Team
News & Insights
News
Publications
At the Corners Newsletter
At the Corners Newsletter
The sports marketplace has permanently changed, and Stinson is prepared to help you navigate these new challenges. Our publication, At the Corners, discusses relevant topics for you to stay in the game when it comes to esports, sports technology and wagering.
IN THIS ISSUE
- The FTC's first-ever inquiry into sports agent conduct under the Sports Agent Responsibility and Trust Act (SPARTA) reflects heightened federal attention on Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) relationships in college athletics. As athletes navigate increasingly complex compensation structures following NCAA v. Alston and recent NIL settlements, regulators are signaling potential renewed enforcement of an older statutory framework and broader scrutiny of agent practices in the evolving college sports landscape.
- Online privacy litigation is rapidly expanding across sports, media, entertainment and apparel, as plaintiffs leverage legacy statutes like the VPPA, CIPA and BIPA to challenge modern data collection practices. Recent cases and conflicting court interpretations signal growing legal uncertainty, with companies facing significant financial exposure and increasing pressure to strengthen compliance as enforcement intensifies.
- With professional sports seasons overlapping the federal tax filing deadline, state "jock tax" regimes can significantly affect professional athletes' effective earnings depending on where they play or are traded. These disparities may influence free agency decisions and raise a novel question of whether contractual provisions could be structured to mitigate unexpected tax consequences when players move between teams and jurisdictions.
The FTC Blows the Whistle: First-Ever Enforcement Inquiry into College Sports Agents Under SPARTA
By Brett Shanks & Nathan Isom
By Megan McCurdy & Alex Gunning
An Income Tax Play for Professional Athletes
By Charlie Hutchison & Jay Simpson
If you would like to receive more information on these and other sports and entertainment topics, please subscribe to our At the Corners newsletter.
Previous Issues
Issue 12 - November 2025
Jumbo and Not So Jumbo Risks of Displaying Fan Images at Sports and Event Venues
When Sports and Employment Law Collide — Playbook of Considerations When Starting an Investigation
Issue 11 - May 2025
Playing on the Edge - Sweepstakes Casinos Face Challenges
MLB and Sports Media Rights in the Streaming Era
Penn State Victory Maintains Uneasy Status Quo in Sports Merchandising Industry
Issue 10 - November 2024
Bottom of the Ninth: Forever Chemical Bans Take Effect in 2025. What's in Your Team Apparel?
Flag After the Play, Ruling on the Field Under Review: $4.8B NFL Sunday Ticket Antitrust Litigation
From Field to Firm: Lessons for Lawyers from Athletes' Mental Health Playbook
Issue 9 - April 2024
In Florida and Elsewhere, Officials Target Latest Fantasy Sports Games
On Your Mark: Strides in Trademark Infringement on Sports Merchandising
Issue 8 - October 2023
Decentralized Autonomous Organization Laws Across the U.S.
A New Type of Face Painting - The Use of Facial Recognition Technology in Sports Venues
Do Not Pass Go: The Plight of New Soccer Competitions in Europe
FTX Fallout: How Sponsorship Partners are Moving Forward
